Public sector workers in North Lanarkshire are on a collision course with the Scottish Government after unions rejected a new pay offer.

Unite union announced that its local government membership rejected the revised pay offer from COSLA and voted to authorise the union to move towards an industrial action ballot.

Following a month-long consultation, 73 per cent of Unite members voted to reject the three per cent pay increase and of those who rejected the offer 88 per cent indicated support for industrial action.

Meanwhile, UNISON members will be urged to reject a recently revised pay offer made by COSLA in a consultative ballot running until November 7.

Marie Quigley, branch secretary for UNISON North Lanarkshire said: “Whilst we welcome any improvement to the original offer the revised offer falls short of addressing the serious issues of local pay across local government.

“It is disappointing that the employer chose not to engage the trade unions in meaningful negotiations before delivering their revised pay offer.

“Local government staff deliver vital services educating children, caring for vulnerable people, cleaning and protecting our communities, and much more serving the people of Scotland. They are no less deserving of a decent pay increase than teachers.

“Our local services are delivered by one team and if COSLA and the Scottish Government really value the contribution all their staff make they must ensure that everyone who works in local government gets a fair and decent pay rise.”

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Last year the Scottish Government agreed a bigger pay increase for teachers than that given to other local authority workers.

The Scottish Government has again this year found additional money to improve teachers’ pay but will not release additional funds to improve the pay of local government workers.

North Lanarkshire Council leader Jim Logue said: “It’s clear that the Scottish Government can no longer duck their responsibility on this issue any further.

“COSLA has been clear that any agreement beyond what it has already offered will mean job losses in councils across the country, including in North Lanarkshire.

“We all agree that our hardworking teachers deserve a substantial pay rise – but why can’t the Scottish Government also acknowledge the outstanding contribution other council staff make and pledge to make up the difference between what councils can afford and what our staff deserve?

“It is right that we take a one team approach to public sector workers and that can only be maintained if the Scottish Government do the right thing and help fund pay increases alongside councils like North Lanarkshire for all of our hard-working staff.”